Collection of World War II Peculiar Facts

Known as the bloodiest battle in history, World War II, lasting from 1939-1945, resulted in 50 to 70 million casualties. It has been the subject of numerous films and books and is a staple of school history classes. You probably know the basics of this blood bath, but let’s explore this time a bit more with some peculiar facts that you may not be aware of.

More than 100 nations took part in this war.

The first German casualty was brought on by the Japanese in 1937.

Approximately 12,000 heavy bombers were downed.

The youngest serviceman for the United States was 12 year old Calvin Graham. He was dismissed from war participation for lying about his age after being wounded in combat.

The Russians crashed into over 500 German aircrafts, thus destroying them. This was considered an act of bravery by the Russians.

There were only 10,000 survivors of 40,000 men who served aboard U-boats.

The first act of the allied army upon reaching the Rhine was to pee. This act was made into a big deal by all men of both high and low rank. Proof of this comes from a photograph of General Patton caught in the act.

There was over 70% chance of being killed in the air and as a result, the United States lost significantly more air troops than marines.

Contrary to common misconception, the United States was the only nation Germany declared war upon.

The name of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945 was “Little Boy” and the name of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 was “Fat Boy”.